I was born in the Dukedom of Ecresh, in the Void Lands. Ecresh has been annexed by the Dukedom of Drayasil since then. I wasn’t born in the lap of luxury, but I wasn’t poor either. I was taught by father the way of the warrior.

By the age of four, my father taught me the life of a warrior. From unpleasant foods to back breaking training sessions, I was shown that life thoroughly, every day. It was grueling but it built me up to the man I am today.

By the age sixteen, I said farewell to my family, and I joined the Demonic Armed Forces. Basic didn’t come close to my father’s training. I breezed through it, working out when there was spare time.

By the age eighteen, I developed my powers that Voids Demons get at eighteen. It was slow at first, but I made it my own power in the end. Though I was always jealous of flight, I made do with what I had, even if I didn’t have wings.

By the age twenty-one, I screamed through the ranks and was given an offer to join the ranks of the Demonic Special Forces. I declined at first, I claimed I need time to think about it.

By the age twenty-four, I had been promoted to Lieutenant. It feels like I went up the ladder only to take a step down with this rank. That was my opinion. Then the opportunity to join the DSF came again. I accepted. DSF, a regiment that had been set up by the late Demon King Orpheus and had continued through the continuing reign of Demon King William.  Our uniform is still that of Demon King Orpheus’ Army.

I was shown so many things that the regular army never showed me. Taught many things as well. The training that the army paled before my father’s, however, I felt reinvigorated from the training DSF gave me. DSF, I loved it.

By the age thirty, our commander stepped down from DSF. Upon his retirement, new training programs were sent in motion. Death matches were set up to scare off those unwilling, and to weed out the weak. Void Demons were pitted against each other exclusively, otherwise DSF would be only made of Void Demons.

I never developed wings, but that never stopped me from obtaining victory. They all thought I had a disadvantage from not having wings, which put them in a false sense of security.

DSF got new recruits every month, so the commander wasn’t really concerned with regulating the fights more they were, which led to there being only two Void Demons in all DSF. This led to the last match of Void Demons in DSF. We closed our doors to recruits around that time. The regular army didn’t know of any of the things DSF did, or of any the reforms. DSF was an appendage of the regular army, however, DSF had its own mind. Had regular army known, we would have been severed long ago.

By age thirty-eight, I was promoted to Major. I gotten close to the commander, I could never remember his name but I got away with it by calling by rank, General. The General had ambitions, ambitions that inspired me to follow. I had none myself, like a moth drawn to a fire, I was drawn to the General’s ambitions. I heard stories on where the ambition came from; I had heard that the General inherited some ancient scrolls from the General’s dungeon delving father obtained.

In these scrolls described a way to get any wish to come true. There where ways to trap a god, get them to grant your wish, however, if you wanted the status of deity yourself, a catastrophe had to happen. You had to be the sole survivor your race.

The world is very populated now, but a long time ago there more than just five types of demons, more than one type of human, there was even a race that wasn’t human or demon. The scroll was detailed in the races, describing each one.

The other race of humans had really short life spans and equally low fertility rates. They had bodies of humans, but powers almost surpassing demons, but due to genetics died out, the last one had his name printed in the scrolls, Icaldir. It was strange the name of his race is lost but his name is here.

The extinct race of demons was called the Night Demons, they appeared to be masters of darkness and were most powerful during the moonless night. The script seemed to have been copied from an even more ancient script that has probably already perished. Most of the details are missing, but it looks like it emphasized that they absolutely couldn’t turn down a challenge. You also knew you were near one when you saw black fire somewhere in your surroundings. The cause to their extinction was unknown but the last one’s name was Anelia.

If either Pope knew of these scripts they would probably seek to destroy them. As for the race that was neither human nor demon, they vanished. Race not known, there was no extinction, they just vanished. The description says that they looked like humans with wings and a disk that floated over their heads, known to be halos. These halos are the only things that remain that can prove that they even existed in the first place.

By the age thirty-five, I read the scrolls. I knew the truths, the traps, all of it. I knew the true ambition of the General. The General could never be a deity the traditional way, wiping out all his race would a monstrous task that would last a whole life time. If only the fertility rate was dismally low and population already low to begin with. That’s where the plan came in.

I was already close to the General, so I was going to be the saving grace, for his ambitions to come true. And oh, did I want them to be realized. I would slaughter my fellow members of the Void Demon race and become a god and then help the General achieve the same status.

I’ve known the General for a long time, I’ve known that the General hates being looked down upon. The General wants to be in a position where that would be impossible. Being a ruler is out of question due to bloodlines not being in the General’s favor. However, the General could transcend kings and become a god, was probably the logic behind it all.

The end goal was set, the means to achieve it had all but been completed, so how do we initiate this without the world coming out to take our heads? As we pondered this over the course of a few months with a secret council with a few key players in DSF and regular army, we found our solution. The Light Pope looked as if he had maybe a few years left, so we would raise support for a Cardinal that was controlled by us. When this Cardinal became Pope, he would preach that we are evil and poison the minds of humans. Eventually we would go to war, during that time, mass mutiny would happen everywhere on our side. That would be our chance to exterminate the Void Demons.

We would go in as recruits in the regular army, as for the key players already in the army, there is a reason why they are called key players. They are perfectly placed to make this work. The Demons would sure to lose the war due to the mutiny.

By age forty, the Light Pope died. Our Cardinal was not chosen. New Pope elected.

By age forty-six, our Cardinal died, we spent a few years grooming a new one.

By age seventy-two, the truly long lived Light Pope took his last breath. Our Cardinal was again not selected. New Pope elected.

By age seventy-three, the pious Dark Pope died in an accident, a new Dark Pope elected, and interestingly enough, he is a Mountain Elf.

By age seventy-five, our Cardinal died again, time to groom another one.

By age seventy-six, Demon King William’s first born is born.

By age eighty, Demon King William’s second born breathed his first breath.

By age ninety-four, success! The Light Pope died and our Cardinal was elected. He slowly spread the anti-demon gospel. Tension is building.

By age ninety-seven, it worked better than we thought it would have. The Light Pope has poisoned even the ear of Emperor of the Imperial Domain. The Emperor has declared war! Here is our chance.

I reenlist in the army as a brand new recruit at the age of ninety-seven, working under cover. I’ll just stay silent lest anyone discovers me. Basic Training went by like a gust of wind. I met a prince in Basic but I paid him no mind. Our objective was the Void Demons not the royal family, but if they get in our way I won’t hesitate to dispose of them.

My Battalion was heading to the Dukedom of Oclen to help the besieged city, but we had several stops even though it was urgent, this was due to a key player in a high position, this allowed me to Void Step to the Void Lands and silently, stealthily assassinate the families of Void Demons. Through customs, every assassination I made, I collected a feather of each body, if available. I collected very beautiful feathers that differed from the others. Some had purple tips and some had a single red stripe that ran through each feather. I believe the colors signified the properties of the wings. I may not have wings myself, but I just might make a pair out of the ones I collect.

I almost cleared everyone in the Void Lands, save for a little girl. This girl was the only one that saw me in my mass killing spree. She was very good at hiding, I feel as though I almost found her but my time was up, I had to regroup with the Battalion.

The reason I was the only one able to go to the Void Lands without anyone else in the Battalion being able to is due to the fact that there I was five times everyone else’s age and had experience to match. Some of these saps don’t even have the ability to Void Step yet. I’ll get the girl later, right after the mutiny I suppose.

I guess I could have my way with her sense she will be the last one I have to get rid of. I’ll take it nice and slow, taking my time. I carried these thoughts with me throughout the day until we got the signal to start the mutiny. I guess I will take care of the Phendahls first.

I had my sword in hand and it was pointed at the younger brother’s chest. This imbecile won’t know what hit him.

“Alastair! NO!” the older brother cried out.

WHAM!

I sank to my feet. My consciousness had gotten really hazy and seems like I taste blood. When the younger brother moved out from beneath me his foot caught mine causing me to fall. Quick thinking let me fall into a Void Step. I appeared behind the prince got ready to stab him, only to be blocked by the older brother. I try to reappear behind him only to see him matching my speeds and blocking all my attacks. It was so angering and embarrassing that my next Void Step was out of the tent, which is where I saw the prince and the younger brother chatting. So I reappeared beside the prince and at his throat.

I did not expect the prince to have such quick reflexes, he had grabbed my neck as if he expected me to appear beside him. As he was latched onto my neck, I noticed the air around his skin start to buzz, next thing I know I was in agonizing pain. Yellow light was dancing across my vision, my throat hoarse from screaming, and my skin busting ripping and peeling away at the fire.

My body made a thud sound on the ground, this was the only thing that let me know that I was on the ground. I was in so much pain that I couldn’t tell at first. This sort of pain was more than the stinging pain of burning skin on a flame, no, it was an all-consuming pain that left you in your own personal hell. There was no one else, only you and this pain that resonated in your soul.

I believe the pain start abating not because I was getting used to it, but only because my nerves were getting damaged. It was only then that I was able to open my eyes. There was a battle field set before my eyes. Right in front of me was the prince snapping the neck of an Air Demon that had also been set ablaze. Looking closely at the prince I could see that the lava like fluids on him was actually his own blood.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

When they turned to aid their brothers in combat against the mutiny we caused, I took that time to roll into a Void Step far away from the battle scenes. I wound up in DSF headquarters. Before I could speak to the General, I was rushed to our most skilled healer, Syllis.

Syllis is a Nymph of the Common Ruffleberry Tree, a tree she keeps close-by. Usually you don’t find Nymphs outside their forest because they can’t stray far from their trees. However, Syllis is special, her tree started in a planter. So she can move her tree around, effectively making her more mobile.

By the time my body made it to her operation table, she had completely freaked out. “What happened to you? Who did this to you? Are these burns?” She was horrified at the sight of my body, that much was evident. I mean, Nymphs are naturally afraid of fire, so this would naturally not sit well with one. However, I couldn’t answer any of her questions. My consciousness looked as though it would fail me.

That cursed prince, I’ll make sure he’ll pay for this, as for those Phendahls, I’ll make sure to pick up from where I started. As I thought these very thought, I passed out from the pain and exhaustion.

…

My consciousness had come in and out occasionally and every time that it did, There was Syllis working away at my body. Of course I couldn’t talk to her, I would pass out before I could. I could see her face before each time I passed out though; it was a face of passion.

I know that it was probably just nothing but gratitude but I felt an attachment to my savior. When I regained consciousness for the final time on the operating table, I felt confident that I wouldn’t pass out again, I grabbed the hands of Syllis, who’s hands were hovering over me pouring light green aura over me. Sitting myself up, my body protested with a phenomenal amount of pain, but the pain meant I was alive. Green aura faded slowly as did the forest like scent gave off.

I was still holding the hands of the now fidgeting Syllis. She was complaining at first that I should be resting but she had gone quiet when our eyes met. “Thank you. You saved my life, I am forever in your debt. I know that Nymphs are usually seductresses and usually in no need of a long term mate. I also came into understanding that you are in search of said long term mate. You are as unusual as you are beautiful.” I lean in and rest my lips on a very flustered Syllis.

I know, I know. Her skin is green, she is part plant, but hey being almost a century old and not having a lover was also unconventional as well. So I guess it works out. The flowers in her hair secrete a natural aphrodisiac, but if you kept your head clear you could see her other redeeming qualities. Along with her passionate side of wanting to cure patients she was truly beautiful to look at. When she found something cute or embarrassing she would blush and she blushes a deep blue.

When our lips had parted, I was going to look her in the eye but was interrupted with another kiss that was filled sparked with passion. Lust had filled the atmosphere, and those flowers helped make it thicker by secreting more aphrodisiac, making my head go numb. I was bathed in immense pleasure, as I tried to get closer to Syllis, I am suddenly jolted back to my senses as pain reawakens in my body.

Noticing something was different, Syllis gazed at me from my lap then it suddenly hit her, “I’m so sorry. I am so stupid, please forgive. Ah, I should get back to healing you.” Frantically apologizing and jumping off of me to continue healing me, made me smile. As she started the forest scented therapy again I stood up, was again breaking her concentration.

Pain had riddled my body but I was able to move on my own, I walked closer to Syllis and placed a finger on her chin to tilt her head to look at me. “No need to apologize, we will continue where we left off when I’m done healing.” I did a quick kiss before staring into her teary eyes, “Is that ok with you?”

When she saw that I was fine, she made a resolute face, “Yes, but are you serious about you owing me?”

I saw where this going from a mile awhile, “You may ask anything from me. Anything.” I stroke her cheek as to signify this.

She got really flustered at whatever thought went through her just now and she sported magnificent blue blush that spread across her face.  “Then, then would you be willing to…”

Pushing her further, I say, “Hmmm? I apologize I can’t exactly hear you”

She shrank just a little and seemed to get quieter, “That is, that is… will you…”

I believe one last push will do, I bring my face closer her to hers to about one inch, “Ah, this is better. I might hear you know.”

Her whole face practically turned blue from the blush taking her whole face. “Will you marry me?”

Just as she said these words the door flew open as someone barged into the room. Ah, my most trusted Lieutenant, Lieutenant Usunaar Rohorn. He has always been shoot first, apologize later type of elf, as is most evident in his entering in such a way. “Ah, you are awake. Still burned up I see. Come with me.” Upon saying those words he left the room as abruptly as he entered.

Hearing his words, I looked at the only mirror in the room and see that indeed I am covered in massive burn scar tissue. 

Hmm, Syllis is well known for her healing magic but only in emergencies. She isn’t very good at cosmetically healing, however my Lieutenant Rohorn is outstanding at it, as is most of the Shadow Elves.

They are very good at cosmetics and at assassinations. Like the Dark Elves they blend into the shadows really well because of their skin, however unlike the Dark Elves they are a little more chaotic and blend in so well with the shadows that they become invisible. They absolutely hate bright lights.

I was about to walk out of the door, that is when I noticed Syllis’ deflated, almost defeated face. It was a shame to see that on a beautiful face. So as I passed through the doorway’s threshold, I said, “just wait a little longer, my future bride.” Her face perked up when she heard my words. That was the last I saw of her face due to the fact that I had some where to be.

I had to struggle to catch up with Lieutenant Rohorn, but when I do I order him to slow down a bit and give me a status report. “Sir, you have been out of commission for six years now. We lost in our mutiny, The Great War ended in a white peace. Also, as expected there was investigation in the mass mutiny.”

“So the General…”

“The General had someone be a look-alike to take the fall.”

Curiously I asked, “So a white peace, how’d that happen?”

He replied, “Emperor Lanslet Greenwood died, his heir, Emperor Godfrey Greenwood called for a peace treaty.”

“So how is DSF holding up?”

He slowly replied, “The mutiny was resulted in an a wipeout on our side, so there are very few members left in DSF, forcing us to open our doors to recruitment in the regular army again. Also, there is friction amongst the veteran members.”

“Hmmm, that’s serious, so where is our destination?”

He once again replied before turning off to the stairs, “The basement level, to the magic circle room. Orders are to fix you up.”

“Understood,” I followed him down the stairs, slowly and painfully. When we reached the end of the stairs we walked past several rooms until we reach the magic circle room.

This room was a giant circular room designed to have magic circles drawn in them and activated in such a room. The room was special as it was built under a layline; geographical lines that ran through the continent, these lines gave off thick auras of mana. Being under or over one made magic circles more potent. Magic circles themselves were made for the purpose of either: summoning, healing, or general large scale magic spells that simple mana manipulation can’t achieve.

Magic circles were powerful but ineffective in battle as they took time to make, and had to be perfect in order for them to work. They were all unique, no two were the same, but in my opinion, all were beautiful. The Lieutenant stood outside the circle as I made my way inner most part of it. When I was at what I guessed at the most centered I could get in the massive circle, I signaled for him to start.

He entered a trance and I witnessed his essence of his mana go from his body and into the dark lines of the magic circle turning them bright green. Slowly the lines glowed and afterward the very air in the circle grew heavy with mana and even shimmered with the stuff. Since I was in the middle of it, I could feel every fiber of my being, being infiltrated with the mana in the air. I looked at my arm and saw the flesh nit itself back together as the pain ebbed away.

Eventually the burn marks went away and I felt refreshed, I felt strong. It was then that something felt very off, just as I thought that, the lines turned red and the air got thicker. I felt my mana being stripped away and my fatigue building in a strange way. Something is very wrong, I tried running over to Usunaar, only to find myself at a slow walking pace. When I came to about five feet from his defenseless body did the magic circle cease to function and regained his consciousness.

“There, all done. How do you feel?” He asked me with an upturned smile.

“Like crap. What did you do to me?” Maybe it was just a part of the process.

He straightened his back before replying, “You see how a magic circle curse works, is you have to give something before you can make it work. Normally you would sacrifice something, but I decided aiding your healing was good enough for it to work.”

I didn’t understand at first on what he was getting at, then it hit me, “YOU WHAT?!”

He just laughed, “I just cursed you with rather nasty, ancient curse. No abilities or mana until you fulfill a task. Your task: 

‘Kill your fellow Void Demon.’”

I was exasperated, “Why’d you…”

He interrupted, “I could say to better motivate you to do your task, but that’s not true, this would hinder you. It makes your task impossible. I loathe you, so why would I let you become a deity?”

I lunged at him only for him to dodge and strike me in the back of the head, robbing me of my consciousness yet again.

…

I woke to elevated temperatures and smoke in the air. This was on fire! Running through the rooms and making my way upstairs, dodging debris and ceiling cave-ins. I almost got hit several times as I made my way up, desperately trying to escape. Fire, fire everywhere, why does it have to be fire? Frantically running, I passed through the halls aiming for the exit I run faster than I ever had in my life. Smoke filled my lungs, pain filled my entire being as adrenaline worked overtime and I started to tear muscles trying to get out.

Exit I must exit, I can’t die, not here. I don’t want to die by fire! Suddenly Syllis’ face popped in my head. She must have escaped already, there’s no way that she… Just in case I turned into the operation room just beside the exit.

“Syllis! Syllis! Are you in here? Please tell me you aren’t!” I waited for a moment or two before I exited the room, the moment before I do so, I notice a burnt Ruffleberry tree in the back of the room. No. Walking to it I saw the collapsed body of Syllis at the base of the destroyed plant. Examining the body, checking for pulses and other forms of life signs, I saw none. Lieutenant Rohorn, where ever you are, you are a dead man.